by Lorraine Strenkowski

With a major in Horticulture and a minor in Ag-Business Management from the University of Connecticut, 22-year-old Mackenzie Beckwith transformed her great-grandfather’s dairy barn into an inviting farm store.  Arrowhead Acres offers products from over 10 different local businesses/farmers as well as other artisan crafters.  Cookies, muffins, pies, stuffed breads, soup and many other goodies are made right in the store, with much of the produce that’s grown on the property. [Read more…]

by George Cook, Extension Farm Safety Specialist, University of Vermont

While we don’t hear about barn fires often, they do happen. And when they do, there is usually heavy damage not only to the barn but also to attached buildings, livestock, tools and equipment stored in or near the barn along with personal loss and livelihood. Taking a few simple steps can help you prevent tragic losses in the event of a fire.

Start by installing a reflective E911 sign with street number by the entrance to your farm or driveway, just like those bright green signs for road identification. If you need information, contact your town office, fire department or rescue squad. [Read more…]

BURLINGTON, VT – The New England 4-H Horse Contests, held Oct. 16 in New Hampshire, attracted more than 60 competitors including 23 from Vermont representing University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H.

The annual event, designed to help 4-H’ers prepare for competitions at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, Kentucky, in November was open to 4-H club members from the New England states as well as New Jersey and New York. [Read more…]

by Paul Burdziakowski

When one thinks of tobacco farming the first thing that might come to mind are the green leafed tobacco fields of Havana Cuba and the rolled Cuban cigars that are made there. Those people residing in towns along the Connecticut River Valley just have to think of their own backyard because tobacco farming has been an important part of the New England landscape for hundreds of years. [Read more…]